1. The offensive line looked pretty much the same

It’s hard to evaluate the first team offense because they only got two series (I’m sure the plan was for them to get much more action but Marcus Sherels’ pick-six plus the Seahawks’ typically plodding Bevell-style offense meant Seattle more-or-less hogged the ball for most of the first quarter). The good news for the O-line was that Donovan McNabb seemed to have decent time during the one long drive in the second quarter when the Vikes marched down and scored a field goal. The bad news was: 1) A protection mix-up in the first series allowed Raheem Brock to level McNabb. 2) Phil Loadholt slowed down the scoring drive by getting called for a false start. 3) Adrian Peterson had trouble finding running room a lot of the time (he might as well get used to that). Interesting note: Scott Kooistra started at right guard in place of Chris DeGeare. Anthony Herrera is still not ready to play and Chris DeGeare has been getting practice rips at right tackle. Be interesting to see who gets the first team reps at right guard during the week.

2. Bill Musgrave is not Darrell Bevell

One play-call stood out to me: The Vikes had 3rd-and-15 at the Seahawks 18 (after Loadholt’s penalty, a failed run play and an incomplete pass). I’m reasonably certain that during the Brad Childress/Darrell Bevell era the play-call would’ve been some kind of low-risk toss to a running back or a middle-screen to Jim Kleinsasser to get three or four yards and set up Ryan Longwell with a slightly closer field goal. But Bill Musgrave is not Darrell Bevell. Instead of doing the totally safe thing Musgrave tried to get the ball into the end zone, and might have succeeded had McNabb been able to hook up with Kyle Rudolph. Yes I realize Musgrave would’ve gotten hammered had the Vikings turned the ball over there, but sometimes you have to take a little risk. In that situation, when you’re already firmly in field goal range, it’s okay to press the issue a little. I hope we see more such relative aggressiveness from this offense (because I’m sick of the old Chilly/Bevell grandmotherish “take care of the ball” philosophy).

3. Mixed results for Marcus Sherels

Marcus Sherels is trying to make this team as a fifth corner/punt returner. He seemed on the verge of possibly being cut after infuriating his coaches by fumbling a return, then quickly redeemed himself with a pick-six off a tipped ball intended for Golden Tate (Tarvaris Jackson got the blame for that play but I thought Tate should’ve caught it; Pete Carroll evidently agreed, because he punished Tate by leaving him in for the rest of the game). I’m not sure I’d trust Sherels as a punt returner but I did like his quick reactions and sure-handedness on the pick.
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And it doesn’t look like they’ll be bringing anyone in at the last minute either.

Brad Childress more-or-less closed the door on any further moves to strengthen the defensive backfield, saying the team would fill that need “from within” instead.

“From within” means two things:  Cedric Griffin being healthy enough to play, and/or Marcus Sherels being signed off the practice squad.

Right now, the coaches say they still consider Griffin a long shot to make it on the field Thursday night in New Orleans.  But Cedric himself says he plans to be out there.

As for Marcus Sherels…he did make a couple nice plays in the preseason, and maybe at some point down the road he will make a decent nickel corner, but I don’t know if I’m ready to see him suiting up against Drew Brees yet.

All that being said, if you look at the names available at cornerback since the final roster cuts, it’s probably no surprise the Vikings didn’t make any moves.  There are no saviors out there.  I’m guessing the Vikes have been hoping for Cedric to play all along, and are now fairly satisfied that he will be able to make it.  But of course they’re still saying he’s a long shot because…well, those are the kinds of games you play heading into a huge season opening showdown.

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